Chicago Drivers Could See $70M in Refunds Over City Sticker Tickets

A judge ruled the city illegally overcharged drivers, exceeding a $250 state cap on municipal fines.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Cook County judge ruled that the city of Chicago must refund millions to drivers who were overcharged for city sticker and parking violations. The decision could force the city to refund nearly $70 million, plus $34 million in interest, and erase $94 million in unpaid fines. The lawsuit claims steep late fees pushed some drivers into massive debt, costing them their cars and in some cases, their jobs.

Why it matters

This ruling highlights concerns over the city's aggressive ticketing practices, which have disproportionately impacted low-income residents. The steep fines and penalties have led to financial hardship, with some drivers losing their cars and jobs due to their inability to pay.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by two plaintiffs, including Kyle Garchar, who received a $1,600 fine for four city sticker violations in 2018. When he couldn't pay, he lost his ability to drive and work as a rideshare driver. The judge ruled that the city violated state law by charging penalties that exceeded a $250 cap on municipal fines. Over the past 16 years, the city has steadily increased ticket prices, with city stickers going from $100 to $200, plus a $200 late penalty.

  • The judge's ruling impacts more than a million tickets issued between 2012 and 2022.
  • The city says it is considering a possible appeal.

The players

Kyle Garchar

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the city of Chicago over city sticker violations.

Jacie Zolna

An attorney representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

City of Chicago

The defendant in the lawsuit, accused of illegally overcharging drivers for city sticker and parking violations.

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What they’re saying

“One of our plaintiffs in that case, the city issued something like 35 tickets to him over the course of a month — and I mean, do the math. It was tens of thousands of dollars. And again, this is not a safety issue. These people weren't speeding or running red lights or causing any safety hazard.”

— Jacie Zolna, Attorney (FOX Chicago)

“Make no mistake, this practice has harmed the most vulnerable people in the city. End of story. And it's spanned now three different administrations — and not a single one of them has done anything about it.”

— Jacie Zolna, Attorney (FOX Chicago)

What’s next

The city says it is considering a possible appeal of the judge's ruling.

The takeaway

This case highlights the negative impact of the city's aggressive ticketing practices, which have disproportionately burdened low-income residents. The ruling could force the city to provide significant financial relief to drivers who were unfairly penalized, and may prompt a re-evaluation of its ticketing policies to ensure they are fair and equitable for all residents.